Well, a lot of concerns. Again, communicating is not DJI's best skills. But on the other hand...... They ARE stating nothing is changing. The limitations are only there during the update. I'm flying the Magic for over 5 months. NOT ONE SINGLE PROBLEM.

Still I think DJI needs to improve their communicating skills, to avoid these problems over and over. And still it's not clear WHY we have to log in etc. etc.

To be continued.

NavigatorNL Posted at 2017-5-22 00:12
Well, a lot of concerns. Again, communicating is not DJI's best skills. But on the other hand...... They ARE stating nothing is changing. The limitations are only there during the update. I'm flying the Magic for over 5 months. NOT ONE SINGLE PROBLEM.

Still I think DJI needs to improve their communicating skills, to avoid these problems over and over. And still it's not clear WHY we have to log in etc. etc.

Bottom line is they flipped the script/narrative.

It used to be that Mavic flys until it knows it hits a NFZ.

Now it assumes it is in an NFZ until proven otherwise.

So it used to be you could fly Mavic indoors in poor or no GPS signals.

Now, to deter possibility of anyone masking GPS to trick Mavic to takeoff in an NFZ, the new firmware makes Mavic DEFAULT to assume it IS in a NFZ until GPS proves otherwise.

Which means if you try fly indoor with weak GPS signal, it won't takeoff because it assumes it is in NFZ.

This also means if you take your Mavic to a new country when it boots up and realizes via GPS it isn't in the nation that you (re) activated your drone, it will not fly. or will need you to reactivate in that new country again etc

And if you choose not to upgrade, you are kept to 98 max height, 150ft max range, and live feed is DISABLED.

it used to be Mavic force autoland at 10% remaining bat, essentially 90% of a full charge is at most "usable"
Now in the new firmware they set that to 16%. meaning only 84% of a full battery is actually "usable"

They still advertiste the Mavic to have a full 27 minute flight time.

Go figure.

Not being able to fly in the country I am not registered in seems wrong on so many levels. And goes counterintuitive to what I thought DJI was trying to advocate in terms of "expanding your world"

morpheus2480 Posted at 2017-5-22 00:17
Not being able to fly in the country I am not registered in seems wrong on so many levels. And goes counterintuitive to what I thought DJI was trying to advocate in terms of "expanding your world"

So say you fly to some remote island place, upon startup the Mavic will immediately via GPS know its position and now you are "out of the country" of your registration. if your remote island or whatever doesn't have activate internet connection, you cannot "reactivate" cause it requires hitting the DJI servers. So yeah you are screwed in that situation.

Wieg1 Posted at 2017-5-22 00:23
The thing that does not come right and that is absurd is that they said....
or do this or the item you bought becomes a toy...!

An inspire is a lot of money for a toy.
Many people car don't even cost that much

Ouch...

DJI fool me once shame on...

The thing that does not come right and that is absurd is that they said....
or do this or the item you bought becomes a toy of a few cents...!

Maybe they are holding off until the Spark launch and they get pre-order $$$$

morpheus2480 Posted at 2017-5-22 00:30
Maybe they are holding off until the Spark launch and they get pre-order $$$$

That is a genius idea.

That way they can claim a 30 minute battery life by testing and demoing Spark with firmware 'on the edge' with freedom to burn fuel down to 1%, then immediately after Spark launches, firmware update it to 50% to be conservative so that real flight time is only 15 mikes.

They don't want the public backslash until AFTER the pre-orders are in....

GENIUS

adiru Posted at 2017-5-22 00:12
Bottom line is they flipped the script/narrative.

It used to be that Mavic flys until it knows it hits a NFZ.

Thank you very much for your answer, I'm so p*ssed at DJI.

So there are no height or distance restrictions, once updated to the new software.

The battery is forced to preserve more than before, that's annoying but not going to kill me.

Okay next, reactivating. So right now you have to recalibrate it when moved a long distance. But now you will have to get permission from someone (Not Happy) but can live with it. As long as it takes two seconds in the DJI App (Kind of like downloading a map).



But, I will not except that it is put in a No Fly Zone at the start, the reason for the Mavic is that you can toss it in the air and get the shot then quickly then drive away.

Brocks Posted at 2017-5-22 00:37
Thank you very much for your answer, I'm so p*ssed at DJI.

So there are no height or distance restrictions, once updated to the new software.

Oh and one more thing, it is broadcasting your Serial # everywhere via radio xmission now:

https://www.dropbox.com/s/v4lkyr ... %203-22-17.pdf?dl=0

adiru Posted at 2017-5-21 22:26
Actually this time around they take a picture of your face to keep on record now. Just in case I guess. ID verification.

That is a complete lie, and you are a more than complete idiot. Stop posting outright lies.

Okay so from what I can understand is the serial number will be broadcasted in a small area. Who will be able to read it, will the fight scanner apps see drones flying around like planes?

What info will it say to the public if any at all, is it like a license plate that only police can read it and look up your name?
I'm not sure but in Australia there is to my knowledge no "Drone registration" in Australia, does that mean that there is no "Drone Police".

So will the broadcasting not affect me at all?

However, will DJI sell us out to say the "Drone Police"

For Eg, they ontact DJI and say "Hey who owns Serial number ****, were just going to give them a huge fine and threaten to take their drone."

That's where I see a problem happening, but I doubt that will happen, hopefully.

So its a bit of a privacy FU from DJI, but as long as no one from the public can see it I guess its okay.

Brocks Posted at 2017-5-22 01:21
Okay so from what I can understand is the serial number will be broadcasted in a small area. Who will be able to read it, will the fight scanner apps see drones flying around like planes?

What info will it say to the public if any at all, is it like a license plate that only police can read it and look up your name?

Is that right?

To be honest, I did read the document I'm very tired but did I miss anything out that should be mentioned?

Thank you

There certainly seems to be a fair amount of "hysteria" from all angles on this. I think DJI will have to be prepared for a pretty serious backlash and accept that these restrictions, actual and/or perceived, are going to affect their sales and their dominance in an industry which could be going back to the time when it was served by the more exclusive and specialised RC clubs.

What annoys me is the unfair reputation drones seem to have gained from the populus as disasters waiting to happen. Just as a thought;

In the year 2016, how many people were killed...

a) in car accidents?
b) by guns?
c) in drone accidents?

It's about time the people, organisations and governments got this in perspective!

Buressy Posted at 2017-5-20 08:25
I need urgent help here. I am currently staying in France. At the end of next week I am leaving with the Mavic for an expedition in Northen Arctic Canada. I will not have internet connections while in this expedition.  What will happen to me. Will I be able to fly if I am not able to make the update?

Don't update your firmware and you will be able to try to fly, but note that flying in that area you will be very close to the north magnetic pole and far from the GPS satellites so you will probably have to fly in atti mode and may still have difficulty with the compass, might be a big problem with the Mavic...

Brocks Posted at 2017-5-22 01:23
Is that right?

To be honest, I did read the document I'm very tired but did I miss anything out that should be mentioned?

I've read it, to me it looks good.

I'm not a fan of broadcasting my drones serial number, but it is what its.

So as long as it's done correctly like the paper states then it's okay with me, personly if I had the option to disable it then I would.

Brocks Posted at 2017-5-22 01:50
I've read it, to me it looks good.

I'm not a fan of broadcasting my drones serial number, but it is what its.

Having a registration is the governments job not DJI. Imagine if Colt required gun owners to register with the company and it was broadcasting your guns serial number to all your neighbors.

The irony is now the FAA registration got overturned but DJI is forcing all owners to register with the manufacturer directly.

That's like buying a 30 capacity rifle that can only shoot five rounds unless you register with the manufacturer even though the government no longer requires any registration.

adiru Posted at 2017-5-22 02:00
Having a registration is the governments job not DJI. Imagine if Colt required gun owners to register with the company and it was broadcasting your guns serial number to all your neighbors.

The irony is now the FAA registration got overturned but DJI is forcing all owners to register with the manufacturer directly.

'The irony is now the FAA registration got overturned but DJI is forcing all owners to register with the manufacturer directly.'

Idiot. You did that already when you first activated your aircraft, so what is new?
Oh, I see, more misinformation.

Geebax Posted at 2017-5-22 02:09
'The irony is now the FAA registration got overturned but DJI is forcing all owners to register with the manufacturer directly.'

Idiot. You did that already when you first activated your aircraft, so what is new?

Why the contempt? You work for DJI? This affects newcomers to the hobby. Those who haven't needed and now won't need to register, if it had not been DJI undoing

My source told me that if you breach any local restrictions, your drone will fly to the nearest local police station and identify you to the authorities. It's call Return to Police.

Seriously, I'm just as concerned as everyone else - but enough with the fake news and scare mongering. And enough with believing what DJI customer reps are saying too. Let's deal with the facts. And the facts are, we don't have any facts.

SomeoneElsesDro Posted at 2017-5-22 02:19
My source told me that if you breach any local restrictions, your drone will fly to the nearest local police station and identify you to the authorities. It's call Return to Police.

Seriously, I'm just as concerned as everyone else - but enough with the fake news and scare mongering. And enough with believing what DJI customer reps are saying too. Let's deal with the facts. And the facts are, we don't have any facts.

That's a great position to be in after shelling out thousands of dollars

So the update contains,

Less usable flight time on the batteries but its still functions so the drone doesn't die mid-flight.  (Alright with me)

GPS Check before flight. (Personally, I don't take off until GPS location is fixed) But if it takes longer than before will not be happy.

Flight restrictions and needing to get permission, not a fan.

Auto NFZ start up, well thats what waiting for the GPS fix is I guess.

Serial number broadcasting, as long as only the "Drone Police" can access it then I'm okay with it. But if it had an off switch that would be better, which I believe DJI will do.

Thank you so everyone for your help, I was completely lost.


One last thing, Mavic Pilots has been taken down. Anyone thinking what I'm thinking?

Brocks Posted at 2017-5-22 02:21
So the update contains,

Less usable flight time on the batteries but its still functions so the drone doesn't die mid-flight.  (Alright with me)

Phantom pilots forum downed too

Yes I'm think they got paid off by special interest company which I won't name

SomeoneElsesDro Posted at 2017-5-22 02:19
My source told me that if you breach any local restrictions, your drone will fly to the nearest local police station and identify you to the authorities. It's call Return to Police.

Seriously, I'm just as concerned as everyone else - but enough with the fake news and scare mongering. And enough with believing what DJI customer reps are saying too. Let's deal with the facts. And the facts are, we don't have any facts.

I don't know how that would work?

How would it fly around the buildings and skyscrapers as well as have enough battery and have somewhere to land?

I don't see that being a thing, we already have NFZ which is I believe is the best option when executed properly, not just red circles everywhere.

I am all for keep misinformation at a minimum... but what choice is DJI giving us here except to theory craft based on details we can get our hands on?

If we don't create enough noise, DJI wont provide any additional details until it might be too late. All we want is an official response. And the closest we can get to that is via the customer and support reps right now.

Brocks Posted at 2017-5-22 02:29
I don't know how that would work?

How would it fly around the buildings and skyscrapers as well as have enough battery and have somewhere to land?

It's a shame. DJI claims to aspire to be like Apple. Apple actually bent over backwards to fight Comey and FBI for its users privacy but DJI is going out of its way to put its customers on a self imposed list and all too happy to sell out and snitch at first chance.

Ok we will have forced registration in our living country, i just hope when you travel elsewhere, the system test if you are registered but allow flying zones of the country you traveled.

fans6916e6f9 Posted at 2017-5-20 11:05
I have been in contact with DJI and I have been informed that the update and the new registration process will NOT limit your flying in any way.

You will only be limited if you don't go through the registration.  Once you register NO NEW limitations will be placed on your flying.  So this is truly a NON event.

Where you go to register please inform,

Simply put.. turn off automatic updates on your mobile device. Don't update the app. Done deal. DJI stay out of my phone, and my drone! If you want to force me to update my software and threaten to throttle back my drone, then you might as well expect a Class Action legal matter in the near future, you have sold way to many drones to start meddling with peoples property. The drones no longer belong to you once they have been sold so back off.

Next weekend, starting Friday I have to cover an event that takes 3 days. The update will rolled out be the end of next week, is that Friday or Sunday?

Since this thread has been started by DJI Joe.
There are a lot of questions and reactions - it took me almost an our to read.
Other forums like phantom/mavic-pilots seem to be down.

Could someone from DJI please respond (in the first post) with answers?

Whitetail UP Posted at 2017-5-22 03:48
Simply put.. turn off automatic updates on your mobile device. Don't update the app. Done deal. DJI stay out of my phone, and my drone! If you want to force me to update my software and threaten to throttle back my drone, then you might as well expect a Class Action legal matter in the near future, you have sold way to many drones to start meddling with peoples property. The drones no longer belong to you once they have been sold so back off.

^^ This.

If you're worried about the upcoming Activation and Firmware updates, don't update the App, don't update the drone.
If they ever force you to update the App (like they've done in DJI GO APP), someone will just release a "fix" to circumvent this.

fans6916e6f9 Posted at 2017-5-20 11:05
I have been in contact with DJI and I have been informed that the update and the new registration process will NOT limit your flying in any way.

You will only be limited if you don't go through the registration.  Once you register NO NEW limitations will be placed on your flying.  So this is truly a NON event.

You see my concern is not that THIS update is going to limit your flying, its the fact that after this there is no going back, you have to keep up to date, and what else will try and strong arm onto us....

They are not talking about grounding our drones because we refuse an update to fix say a major bug that might cause it to crash (sure than never happens anyway). They are talking about grounding our drones if we decide that we dont agree with a control they are trying to put on a device THAT WE OWN. These are not leased, or loaned. We OWN them.

To use the Ferrari comparison. Not only do Ferrari not limit their cars to 120kph, they do nothing and have no legal right to stop you from heavily modifying it far beyond standard spec, outside of cancelling your warranty.

I do believe a lot of this is extremely poor communication skills, but they need to clear any ambiguity and clearly state that they are not going to try and enforce things that are not their place to, eg height, LOS flight, etc.
But by the very fact there has been no posts that I can see from a DJI rep, you can only fear the worst....

But to mirror what so many people have said already. DJI have no legal right, or legal obligation, to control my drone. In fact, they have no legal right or obligation to stop you flying ANYWHERE... even straight over an airport runway. This has been, and always will be, the resposibility for the pilot. (I do not for one moment condone flying anywhere near an airport!!)

GSI_IRE Posted at 2017-5-22 04:12
You see my concern is not that THIS update is going to limit your flying, its the fact that after this there is no going back, you have to keep up to date, and what else will try and strong arm onto us....

They are not talking about grounding our drones because we refuse an update to fix say a major bug that might cause it to crash (sure than never happens anyway). They are talking about grounding our drones if we decide that we dont agree with a control they are trying to put on a device THAT WE OWN. These are not leased, or loaned. We OWN them.

Do we have to just upgrade the DJI GO Apps or latest firmware as well?

This is really peeved me off actually, have sent off a mail, dont expect much of a reply back.

[I]Hello,

I am seeking official immediate clarification around the recent announcement to change the process for activating firmware updates on the DJI Mavic Pro.

My understanding is, that once I install the latest update, .700, I will have no option to downgrade, regardless of what bugs or faults this may result in.
I will also have no option but to continue to update to the latest firmware's that are released or effectively have my drone grounded. " flight will be limited to a 50-meter (164-foot) radius up to 30 meters (98 feet) high, and no livefeed”

Please confirm that my understanding is correct?



Can I leave my drone on its current firmware indefinitely,  version .500, and not be forced to upgrade?




If I move geographic location I will be forced to reactive my device again.

If I have no available data connection my drone is effectively grounded? ( flight will be limited to a 50-meter (164-foot) radius up to 30 meters (98 feet) high and no livefeed)

What other restrictions can I expect?




Please confirm also, that with the firmware update .700 (and all subsequent updates) no new restrictions will be added to where and how I can fly MY drone. Including, but not restricted to, flight height and distance from pilot.



I have grave concerns over the level of control you are trying to exert  on MY PROPERTY. A device I legally own in all respects. Based on my knowledge of local law (Ireland), you have neither any legal obligation or right to stop my drone from flying. In all situations I am entirely responsible for my own actions and where my drone fly's.

I looked forward to your clear and concise response.

Regards
[/I]

Dan Lee Posted at 2017-5-22 04:40
Do we have to just upgrade the DJI GO Apps or latest firmware as well?

Do they not normally go hand in hand?

My iPad mini 4 does NOT have GPS and does not have cellular....


How is this going to work then ?

GSI_IRE Posted at 2017-5-22 04:44
Do they not normally go hand in hand?

Not really. I have updated my IOS app and not my FW.

Dan Lee Posted at 2017-5-22 04:50
Not really. I have updated my IOS app and not my FW.

Ah, ok.

So i should have replaced anywhere I said firmware ver x, with android application version y?

I am sure they will get the overall tone of my mail anyway, but like I said, I expect no real reply from it.

Here in the US, there are different categories of drone users, hobbyists, Part 107 Remote Pilots, and a few others. A licensed Remote Pilot can fly near small airstrips, and in some circumstances can fly above 400 ft. But after reading this disclaimer DJI has sent out, I get the feeling they will make no provision for Pros having different rules, and will frustrate the hell out of us with enforced restrictions that do not even apply to us. I would like to hear from a DJI moderator regarding this issue!

I have just finished speaking with a person through Online chat and he has told me that all these "new rules" only apply to users with no registered devices using 3rd party apps.
I told him that I live in Spain and I'm travelling to Thailand next week, and he has told me I won't have any problem re-activating my drone in Spain and using it in any other countries.
I also asked him what happens If I cannot update the DJI GO 4 app at the moment the new versión appears and he told me Its better to update it because if not I can have some problems with the performance of the Mavic.

Sorry for my english.